Browns-Bengals: Report Card and Notes

NFL Scout

09/13/2005

NFL Scout takes a look at the Browns loss to the Bengals and gives their view...

PASSING OFFENSE: C-minus -- The Browns came up with one big play on a
68-yard throw-and-run to Frisman Jackson, but didn't do much otherwise. Trent Dilfer had two costly interceptions, neither of which were entirely his fault.
There were times the passing offense clicked, but other times when a receiver
didn't seem ready for the ball or a pass didn't connect. Dilfer threw 43 times -
way too many for a team that will struggle to win like the Browns.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C-plus -- Reuben Droughns started the game strong,
gaining 41 yards in the first period. But he had as many carries the final three
periods (six) as he had in the first. Some of it was circumstance - the Browns
fell behind and had to throw. But some of it was play-calling; on short-yardage
the Browns threw the ball on eight of nine plays. The Browns seem to be a team
that needs to depend on ball control to help the defense, so a larger commitment
to the running game is needed.

PASS DEFENSE: D -- The Browns' weakness in the secondary and at
cornerback showed. Cleveland does not have a true cover corner, and with Gary Baxter sidelined, they have an inexperienced corner, Leigh Bodden, playing in
his place. Cincinnati relied on T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson all day,
and Carson Palmer took advantage. The secondary simply is not ready to handle
big-play receivers - which it showed when it gave up a 35-yard pass on
second-and-25.

RUSH DEFENSE: D -- Rudi Johnson's 126 yards look good only when
compared to the 202 yards he gained last season against the Browns. The team's
suspect front seven did little to quell preseason concerns that the run defense
might struggle.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B -- A touchdown punt return by Dennis Northcutt was
wiped out by a penalty, and the kickoff coverage gave up a 50-yard return. Other
than that, the special teams were solid.

COACHING: C-minus -- The Browns coaches seem to have out-thought
themselves in some of their play-calling. Calling for a pass on so many
short-yardage plays seemed to show a lack of confidence in the offensive line -
even though the line blocked well for the run. The Browns are not a team that
can throw the ball 43 times a game and succeed, but that's how many passes Trent
Dilfer threw in the season opener.

GAME NOTES

The Browns' play-calling in short-yardage against Cincinnati was
interesting. The offense had third or fourth down and one or two to go nine
times, and threw on eight of those downs. Six of the passes failed, two
succeeded, and the one run by Reuben Droughns came up short. Going
two-for-nine in short-yardage does not make for a good offensive day.

Wide receiver Dennis Northcutt continues to show that he is best used as
a third receiver. Northcutt has talent, but as a starter he's often lost. In
the season opener against Cincinnati, Northcutt had just four catches for 16
yards. As a slot receiver, Northcutt could go against opposing team's third
cornerback -- which gives him an advantage. If first-round draft pick
Braylon Edwards progresses as hoped, he should start opposite Antonio Bryant, with Northcutt used in his more valuable role as third receiver.

WR Frisman Jackson had a career day with eight catches for 128 yards and
a touchdown, but it might be his high-water mark for the season. Jackson is
the Browns' fourth receiver, and often found himself lined up against a
linebacker in spread situations. To his credit, he took advantage of the
mismatch.

KR Joshua Cribbs was very effective in preseason, but left the season
opener in the second period with a knee injury. Cribbs gave way to Reuben
Droughns, which meant that the starting running back was also returning
kickoffs. Cribbs has a knee sprain that could sideline him for a month.

RB Reuben Droughns made a strong case for being the team's primary back.
Droughns averaged six yards per carry, and started the game with a 24-yard
run. Droughns seems much more fluid and instinctive than William Green, and
probably earned more playing time.

WR Braylon Edwards was little factor in his rookie debut, and
contributed to one of Trent Dilfer's two interceptions. Edwards kept running
downfield on a route, but Dilfer threw as if Edwards would cut in. The ball
was easily picked off.

RB William Green struggled in the opener, gaining just 12 yards on four
carries. Green appeared hesitant and did not seem able to make people miss.
He seems to be thinking too much instead of just running.